On October 9, 2013, at approximately 12:44 a.m., a female victim met with a deputy at the Sheriff’s Office substation on 8th Street. She told deputies that the father of her 11 month old infant had taken the child and was traveling to Mexico. The victim stated that while she was en route to the substation, the suspect rammed her vehicle multiple times in an attempt to prevent her from notifying law enforcement. Moments later, the suspect vehicle was observed traveling at a high rate of speed by responding deputies. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle; however, the suspect refused to stop and attempted to ram one of the patrol vehicles, forcing the deputy off the road way.

The San Luis Port of Entry was notified due to the suspect managing to elude deputies. A short time later, the suspect ran through the San Luis POE, where spike strips had been deployed by Customs and Border Protection agents. The vehicle failed to stop and also ran through the Mexican Customs POE into Mexico. Mexico authorities gave chase and located the abandoned vehicle a short time later. The victims’ brother went to the suspect’s father’s residence in San Luis, Mexico and located the child. A short time later the child and mother were reunited. The child was unharmed.

The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the incident. Anyone with any information concerning this investigation or the whereabouts of Tejeda is asked to contact the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.